Agony and Irony

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-20 rating:
The Andriano masterpiece
Having been a fan of the Trio for the past 7 years, I have followed their steady change of direction from the raw and explosive sounds of "Goddamnit" to the smoother and polished finish of "Crimson" with increasing admiration and eagerly anticipated the release of new material. It was quite apparent that this album was never going to return to the early days of crashing drums and jackhammer guitars, but every Trio album has it's own highlights and this one is no exception. On the previous records, it's usually been a 50/50 mix of Skiba/Andriano songs which have been the main contenders, but this album sees a change in direction in favour of Andriano. Several of the Skiba songs are almost halfhearted and tired sounding, and I wonder if Matt Skiba is now writing the kind of songs he expects us to listen to rather than what he actually feels he wants to write about. I can't help but think he's holding something back in his songwriting, with the exceptions being the wonderful opener "Calling all Skeletons" ,and "I Found Away". Dan Andriano's songs on the other hand are exceptional, with the 4 of them contributing much more than Skiba's 7. "In Vein" is the album's masterpiece, with Andriano matching clever lyrics with quirky, haunting and edgy music which makes full use of Derek Grant's understated drumming style. The emotional depth of Andriano's songs on this album are comparable to classics such as "Message from Kathlene" ,"Crawl" and "Maybe I'll Catch Fire", revealing so much of himself in each song that it's hard not to class Skiba's songs as runners up in every category. "Love Love Kiss Kiss" strikes a chord for anyone who's ever been single for any length of time, with Andriano spitting out the words of the chorus with such venom that you can't help but smile in sympathy . With these songs making such an impact, this album comes across as something of a rollercoaster, but with mostly highs and the occasional low, it's still one enjoyable ride that keeps enticing you to come back for more... enjoy!

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review by: date: 2008-07-16 rating:
alkaline trio yes or no
well i bought this expecting great things and for the most part im not all too disappointed with it. its not necessarily alkaline trio of old but its still very good. (for the most part) the first 5 or so tracks i love (just my opinion - you don't have to agree) but it does seem to tail off from there although there are still some good tracks towards the end. still all in all i think its a good album maybe not their best but still not there worst. definately worth a look if you love alkaline trio

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review by: Loque date: 2008-07-14 rating:
Over and out
Alkaline Trio are a once-great punk yet poppy band from Chicago. Their early albums were genuine emotive masterpieces and were testimony to what you can do with the alchemy of guitar, bass and drums (and about as many chords).

I would say they ran aground shortly after their fourth full length Good Mourning in 2003. The next stop was Crimson in 2005 and although it was still fairly good in places, it was for different reasons. The edginess and raw power was somewhat gone, replaced with sugar-dipped pop rife with blatant over-production and polishing. A unique sound, ruined. For what?

The newest album is the appallingly titled Agony & Irony, and the ironing is delicious, Ralphy. The record pretty much continues down the corporate slope. The single Help Me is pretty good, as is the opener, but as I mentioned before, they're good in a poppy way and not in an edgy or especially interesting way. I'd also say that this is the first time were Dan Andriano's songs are pretty much all better than Matt Skiba's. Maybe this is because the production suits his more mellow songs (In Vein, Do You Wanna Know?) than Matt's heavier and faster tunes which are now a pale reflection of what they used to be. Matt's vocals are now utterly flaccid.

Passable, and for the most part alright and at times even entertaining, but this is not Alkaline Trio anymore, it's a band which, had I not heard their old stuff and enjoyed it, I wouldn't give the time of day.

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review by: Thelasttimeisawyou date: 2008-07-09 rating:
Do not buy this album - Bayside are the new Trio
Please for Skibas sake do not buy this album. Download the tunes and hopefully the poor sales will prove to the Trio that this poppy, melodic bull crap aint what the band is about. I don't mind bands mellowing with age or wanting to sing about different things but these songs are pure ordinary. The acoustic versions of most on the deuluxe edition just go to show that they could have been sung by KT Tunstall or Mcdonald. On a listen the album is good and a bit catchy as was crimson but with repeated listens you get bored quickly and there are no hooks and no lyrics that make you want more. Listen to MICF, GD and FHTI. The three best Trio Albums (The Self titled is a comp) and appreciate a time when Trio and skiba used to churn out top notch songs easily. Dans song writings improved a lot but you'll notice the actual songs are all cack as to why he is now constanly supplying the b-sides and bonus tracks. All in all a massive dissapointment. Boys, I don't hate you, I don't want to fight you but right now I just Don't like you


review by: DEVIL INSIDE HER date: 2008-07-09 rating:
don't listen to these chumps, this is a great record from the greatest punk rock band of the moment!!!!
i have read the other reviews given for this record and although one or two are ok they seem to largely slate the record cos it doesnt sound like goddamit. well i too have been a fan of this band since about 1998 when they began. over the years they have changed and since 2003's 'good mourning' they have gone down a more sophisticated route of song writting. now i love the first 3 records but i must say that good mourning was a change for the better, crimson was a good record (maybe their weaker record) but this new one is great. it's more like the stuff off their split e.p with one man army, which i thought at the time was the best thing they'd ever done. it's not all out punk rock aggresion and this doesnt bother me. i have been a punk rocker if you like for about 14 years since i was 14 so i dont really understand why people care so much if its punk rock. the point is its really good packed full of heart felt powerful songs. that is why and what we love so much about alkaline trio. the combination of dark powerful song writting and matt and dan's divine voices and witty lyrics intwinning with each other throught. opening traxck calling all skeletons is ok, first single 'help me' is better, in vain even better and by the time it gets to 'do you wanna know?' it tottally rocking. the highlight of the record for me so far is the brilliant, skiba sung 'live young, die fast'. its typicall trio, dark brooding verses filled with that yearning feeling their music gives then a big big powerful sing along chorus and what a great name for a song, so cool that i think i have finally found the tatto i want to get for my love of this band. if you alkaline trio as much as i do then you will love this. if you have never heard of the trio before but you buy this you will not be dissapointed. goddamit it is not. what it is, is a brilliant punk rock album in the vain of green days american idiot, not in lyrical content but the sound kinda reminds me. all the other crap out there like coldplay, snow patrol etc, this just blows it all away. long live the trio. matt, dan and derek-please never give this band up, your music brings hope to thousands of disalutioned people. you're amazing....

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